Unknown perpetrators vandalized the campaign office of Strasbourg's incumbent mayor Jeanne Barseghian on the night of February 26-27. Death threats and racist inscriptions appeared on the building's facade. "This is a pitiful act," commented the candidate. The public prosecutor's office is investigating the case. The incident fits into a growing climate of threats and tensions ahead of the municipal elections, as evidenced by another candidate's withdrawal due to an "enormous number of death threats."

Act of Vandalism with Death Threats

On the night of February 26-27 in Strasbourg, the campaign office of incumbent mayor Jeanne Barseghian was vandalized. The phrases "À mort les traîtres" (Death to traitors) and illegible words, which the mayor believes may be racist, appeared on the walls. Neighbors saw people fleeing the scene.

Reactions from Politicians and Authorities

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal condemned the act of vandalism and expressed solidarity with the mayor. The case was classified as a criminal offense involving a punishable threat and is being handled by the public prosecutor's office. Jeanne Barseghian described the event as a "pitiful act" that will not affect her campaign and emphasized the strength of democratic opposition.

Escalating Tensions Before Elections

The attack on Barseghian's office fits into the broader context of increasing threats against politicians ahead of the municipal elections. The day before, former spokesperson for the youth wing of the Renaissance party, Pierre Bellanger-Diot, withdrew his candidacy for the Strasbourg mayoralty, citing an "enormous number of death threats" and growing political violence in the country.

Campaign in Strasbourg and the Mayor's Position

Jeanne Barseghian, the Green Party mayor, is running for re-election. The attacked premises serve as her campaign headquarters. The mayor criticized the action as an attempt to undermine democracy and expressed concern about the increasingly harsh language in public debate leading to real violence.

The campaign office of Strasbourg's incumbent mayor, Jeanne Barseghian of the Green Party, was vandalized with death threats. The incident took place on the night of February 26-27 in the Esplanade district of Strasbourg. The phrase "À mort les traîtres" (Death to traitors) and other words, which the mayor believes may be racist, were spray-painted on the building's facade, though some are illegible. Neighbors reported seeing people fleeing the scene after hearing noise. Municipal elections in France, which elect mayors and city councils, are held every six years and are a key moment in local democracy. Strasbourg, as the capital of the Grand Est region and home to European institutions, is a particularly significant political center. Hate crimes and threats against politicians are prosecuted under Article 433-3 of the French Penal Code. The public prosecutor's office in Strasbourg immediately took up the case, classifying it as a criminal offense involving a punishable threat. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed solidarity with Mayor Barseghian and condemned the act of vandalism. The mayor, who is running for re-election, commented on the event with the words: „C’est un acte pitoyable” — Incumbent Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian. She added that this act would not stop her campaign and is merely proof of the strength of democratic resistance against hatred. The attacked premises serve as Barseghian's campaign headquarters. The event is not isolated. The previous day, February 26, former spokesperson for the youth wing of the Renaissance party (President Emmanuel Macron's party), Pierre Bellanger-Diot, announced his withdrawal from the Strasbourg mayoral race. In an interview with BFMTV, he said: „Si je suis aussi courageux, pourquoi est-ce que je me retire de la course? Parce que j’ai en face de moi énormément de menaces de mort” — Former spokesperson for the Renaissance party youth wing Pierre Bellanger-Diot. His decision highlights the growing problem of violence and intimidation in French political life ahead of the March municipal elections. Bellanger-Diot pointed to an increasingly harsh and dangerous political climate in the country. [{"aspekt": "Candidate Jeanne Barseghian", "przed": "Campaigning from her election headquarters", "po": "Office vandalized with death threats"}, {"aspekt": "Candidate Pierre Bellanger-Diot", "przed": "Mayoral candidate from the Renaissance party", "po": "Withdrew due to death threats"}] Jeanne Barseghian, the first woman to hold the position of mayor of Strasbourg, was elected in 2020. Her campaign focuses on continuing ecological and social policies. The attack on her office was widely perceived as an attack not only on an individual but also on democratic institutions. In an interview with Le Figaro, the mayor expressed concern about the escalation of hate speech transforming into real acts of violence.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the general rise in political tensions and threats against politicians of various persuasions as a systemic problem for French democracy. Conservative media focus more on the specific electoral context in Strasbourg and the possible political background of the incident, less on the broader phenomenon.Timeline of Events in Strasbourg: February 26, evening — Candidate's Withdrawal; Night of February 26-27 — Office Vandalization; February 27, morning — Incident Reported; February 27, noon — Prime Minister's Condemnation

Mentioned People

  • Jeanne Barseghian — Incumbent mayor of Strasbourg from the Green Party, whose campaign office was vandalized.
  • Pierre Bellanger-Diot — Former spokesperson for the youth wing of the Renaissance party, who withdrew his candidacy for mayor of Strasbourg due to death threats.
  • Gabriel Attal — Prime Minister of France, who condemned the act of vandalism and expressed solidarity with Jeanne Barseghian.